 |
Crete Tour, Crete Tour Package, Tour to Crete, Crete Travel Package, Crete Travel, Crete India, India Crete, Crete Travel, Crete Holiday Package, Crete Vacation package |
 |
Europe Packages » Crete Tour
Crete Tour Package
GREECES’S CRETE WALK
Although the largest island of Greece, Crete could be viewed as a nation in its own right. Certainly, the Cretans have a fiercely independent streak to their character and would consider themselves to be Cretans first and Greeks second. Crete has, in fact, only been part of the Greek state for just over 80 years, and you may still meet people born in Turkish-held times.
The claim to be the first European civilization is made by the Minoan era on Crete from 3000-1400 BC, which was at its peak of prosperity from 2000-1500 BC when the famously recreated palaces at Knossos were built. After the destruction of this civilization by an earthquake, Crete retained its independence through classical Greek and Roman periods before being conquered in 67 BC by Rome.
Part of the Byzantine empire, Crete was taken by the Venetians in 1204 and held until falling to the Ottoman Turks in 1669 after a 20-year siege. Uprisings were common place under occupation by the Turks, but only in the late nineteenth century was Crete given assistance by Greek forces who by now were pursuing, under the charismatic leadership of Crete-born statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, the “Great Idea” of uniting all areas of Greek settlement in the Near East. Finally in 1913 Crete proclaimed ‘enosis’ (unity) with Greece.
Your walk will take you through the most beautiful parts of this magical island. Although every day brings a highlight, one of the most thrilling areas is the Samaria Gorge. This natural area was designated a national park in 1962. It is here that the rare Cretan Wild Goat is most abundant.
You will visit villages which have stood in the same place for hundreds of years, see beautiful sunsets over the bright blue Mediterranean Sea and wildflowers on the craggy hills. The atmosphere is incredible. You really know that you have entered another world and another time. Your accommodations along the trail are in comfortable guesthouses with private baths.
Day 1
Meet at the airport with your English speaking guide. Settle in to the hotel. In the evening meet with your guide for a short walking tour of Athens and enjoy dinner in a traditional tavern in the old part of Athens, overlooking the Acropolis.
Day 2
Chania Crete After breakfast, enjoy a half-day Sightseeing tour of Athens. Visit Acropolis, Parthenon. Archaelogical Museum and Panathinaikon Stadium. Lunch in a Early in the afternoon, transfer to the airport to flight from Athens to Chania. Transfer to the hotel part of Chania. In the evening, you will have dinner at a tavern close to the old picturesque harbor. Tasting the delicious Cretan cuisine.
Day 3
Chania-Sougia. After breakfast, you will be driven bus to Agia Irini. From the village St. Irini you walk throes the St. Irini gorge to Sougia (about 4.5 hours walk This is a lesser-known gorge than Samaria, but rivals its neibour for beauty.
Day 4
Around Sougia (3-4 hours) For those who are inrt- ested in the Greek history, today’s walk will be a rewarding one with a visit to the ancient site of Lissos a spa L. Roman times. Picnic in the deserted Lissos bay where also have the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters. Overnight in Sougia. (Moderate walk.)
Day 5
Sougia-Omalos-Gingilos. By private bus you -a1E arrive after an hour’s drive to Xiloskala. This is here you walk starts, as you follow the path to Gingilos. After an hour and a half of moderate to strenuous walking. you make your first stop at Linoselli spring. Then you carry or. towards the top of the mountain. (4 hours walk.)
Day 6
Omalos-Samaria Gorge (5-6 hours). To the head of the Samaria gorge, Europe’s longest and certainly one of its most spectacular. The descent begins on a good path in shady pine forest, dropping steeply and crossing the river before reaching the deserted village of Samaria. Soon the path is in the riverbed itself before you climb again a: the point where the river re-emerges. Now the path crisscrosses the river before bringing you to the village of Azia Roumeli and the sea. After a swim, you settle into your room. (Moderate walk, 10 miles, between 5-6 hours.
Day 7
Agia Roumeli to Loutro (5 hours) A coastal wal;_ You make an early start in the cool of the morning. walking on sand and shingle next to the sea to the picturesque chapel of St. Pavlos, said to mark the place where Gain: Paul landed on Crete. Next to the chapel is a freshwater spring coming out of the pebble beach. The group makes a short stop for swimming. After 5 hours moderate avail: the silhouette of the blue and white washed house! Loutro village appears.
Day 8
Loutro You walk to Anopolis village. where the most “authentic” of the village communities swing-men in headdress and local costume and will visit St. Catherine’s chapel and descent to Louie. 5 hours.
Day 9
Loutro to Chora Sfakion Chania You follow the coastal path to morning. stopping for a swim at Freshwater Beach. This 2 hour stretch has a nice path built on a steep rock face overlooking the deep blue see. From Chora Sfakion the private A/C bus brings everyone back to Chania. Or you may follows an alternateive route, take the boat from Loutro to Sfakia 15 -20 minutes ride and then from sfakia take the bus and go to Chainia airport to catch the fight back to Athens.
Related Informations & Tour Packages
Although the largest island of Greece, Crete could be viewed as a nation in its own right. Certainly, the Cretans have a fiercely independent streak to their character and would consider themselves to be Cretans first and Greeks second. Crete has, in fact, only been part of the Greek state for just over 80 years, and you may still meet people born in Turkish-held times.
The claim to be the first European civilization is made by the Minoan era on Crete from 3000-1400 BC, which was at its peak of prosperity from 2000-1500 BC when the famously recreated palaces at Knossos were built. After the destruction of this civilization by an earthquake, Crete retained its independence through classical Greek and Roman periods before being conquered in 67 BC by Rome.
Part of the Byzantine empire, Crete was taken by the Venetians in 1204 and held until falling to the Ottoman Turks in 1669 after a 20-year siege. Uprisings were common place under occupation by the Turks, but only in the late nineteenth century was Crete given assistance by Greek forces who by now were pursuing, under the charismatic leadership of Crete-born statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, the “Great Idea” of uniting all areas of Greek settlement in the Near East. Finally in 1913 Crete proclaimed ‘enosis’ (unity) with Greece.
Your walk will take you through the most beautiful parts of this magical island. Although every day brings a highlight, one of the most thrilling areas is the Samaria Gorge. This natural area was designated a national park in 1962. It is here that the rare Cretan Wild Goat is most abundant.
You will visit villages which have stood in the same place for hundreds of years, see beautiful sunsets over the bright blue Mediterranean Sea and wildflowers on the craggy hills. The atmosphere is incredible. You really know that you have entered another world and another time. Your accommodations along the trail are in comfortable guesthouses with private baths.
Day 1
Meet at the airport with your English speaking guide. Settle in to the hotel. In the evening meet with your guide for a short walking tour of Athens and enjoy dinner in a traditional tavern in the old part of Athens, overlooking the Acropolis.
Day 2
Chania Crete After breakfast, enjoy a half-day Sightseeing tour of Athens. Visit Acropolis, Parthenon. Archaelogical Museum and Panathinaikon Stadium. Lunch in a Early in the afternoon, transfer to the airport to flight from Athens to Chania. Transfer to the hotel part of Chania. In the evening, you will have dinner at a tavern close to the old picturesque harbor. Tasting the delicious Cretan cuisine.
Day 3
Chania-Sougia. After breakfast, you will be driven bus to Agia Irini. From the village St. Irini you walk throes the St. Irini gorge to Sougia (about 4.5 hours walk This is a lesser-known gorge than Samaria, but rivals its neibour for beauty.
Day 4
Around Sougia (3-4 hours) For those who are inrt- ested in the Greek history, today’s walk will be a rewarding one with a visit to the ancient site of Lissos a spa L. Roman times. Picnic in the deserted Lissos bay where also have the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters. Overnight in Sougia. (Moderate walk.)
Day 5
Sougia-Omalos-Gingilos. By private bus you -a1E arrive after an hour’s drive to Xiloskala. This is here you walk starts, as you follow the path to Gingilos. After an hour and a half of moderate to strenuous walking. you make your first stop at Linoselli spring. Then you carry or. towards the top of the mountain. (4 hours walk.)
Day 6
Omalos-Samaria Gorge (5-6 hours). To the head of the Samaria gorge, Europe’s longest and certainly one of its most spectacular. The descent begins on a good path in shady pine forest, dropping steeply and crossing the river before reaching the deserted village of Samaria. Soon the path is in the riverbed itself before you climb again a: the point where the river re-emerges. Now the path crisscrosses the river before bringing you to the village of Azia Roumeli and the sea. After a swim, you settle into your room. (Moderate walk, 10 miles, between 5-6 hours.
Day 7
Agia Roumeli to Loutro (5 hours) A coastal wal;_ You make an early start in the cool of the morning. walking on sand and shingle next to the sea to the picturesque chapel of St. Pavlos, said to mark the place where Gain: Paul landed on Crete. Next to the chapel is a freshwater spring coming out of the pebble beach. The group makes a short stop for swimming. After 5 hours moderate avail: the silhouette of the blue and white washed house! Loutro village appears.
Day 8
Loutro You walk to Anopolis village. where the most “authentic” of the village communities swing-men in headdress and local costume and will visit St. Catherine’s chapel and descent to Louie. 5 hours.
Day 9
Loutro to Chora Sfakion Chania You follow the coastal path to morning. stopping for a swim at Freshwater Beach. This 2 hour stretch has a nice path built on a steep rock face overlooking the deep blue see. From Chora Sfakion the private A/C bus brings everyone back to Chania. Or you may follows an alternateive route, take the boat from Loutro to Sfakia 15 -20 minutes ride and then from sfakia take the bus and go to Chainia airport to catch the fight back to Athens.
Related Informations & Tour Packages
For CreteTour India & Tour to Crete
 |
| India Tour Packages | Travel Destinations |
|
Europe Tour Packages | England Tour Packages |
|
|
| America Tourism | Australia Tourism | France Tourism | Ireland Tourism | Outbound Tour Packages |
| Thailand Tourism | India Tourism | New Zealand Tourism | West Indies Tourism | Articals |